744 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



In the open the contagion was transmitted with difficulty and this 

 evidently explains the failure of the virus or at least the lack of good 

 reports. The mention of control methods in this article is made merely 

 to bring out what has been done, giving an idea of what there may be 

 yet to do. Details have been necessarily avoided, for each phase of the 

 control measures involves in itself a lengthy discussion. 



Fig. 51. A community poison mix to which grain and other ingredients 

 were brought for preparing poisoned grain- Everyone helped, the job was 

 finished quickly, followed by a barbecue. 



EARLY ORGANIZATIONS. 



Progress in agriculture and horticulture was marked during the 

 '80 's and '90 's by increasing numbers of land settlement colonies 

 springing up here and there about the state. The position California 

 was to occupy as a food base for the nation was already well indicated, 

 for the possibilities were yearly becoming more evident as application 

 of scientific information was practiced. Irrigation schemes and projects 

 were under way, men with experience along agricultural lines were 

 being attracted by the successes of those already in the state, and 

 although the farmer continued to be the victim of low prices better 

 times were assured, in view of the class of farmers taking hold of crop 

 production. 



Getting back to ground squirrels, we find that nothing startling 

 occurred along control lines, for whenever depredations became notice- 

 ably severe, the county board of supervisors of each county was looked 

 to to relieve the situation, which generally came about in the form of 

 an ordinance establishing a force of district inspectors or an enactment 

 providing for a bounty. New ranchers continued to raise crops and 

 fight squirrels as had those preceding them or those on the land adjoin- 

 ing, instead of destroying the squirrels and raising crops. Reports of 

 destruction of trees and plants came in to those interested in such 

 information, from time to time. In 1902 grave fear was expressed for 

 the safety of the orange groves, for the squirrel had developed a taste 



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